In 2019, the Royal Philatelic Society London, the oldest philatelic Society in the world, established in 1869 as The Philatelic Society, London, celebrates its sesquicentenary.

A series of important events will be happening in London and elsewhere to mark the Society’s 150th Anniversary. In addition to the STOCKHOLMIA 2019 exhibition, many other events will be taking place in the UK and around the world ensuring that all members have the opportunity of participating in as many celebratory events as possible. The events are as follows:

London

13-16 February 2019

RPSL exhibition at Spring STAMPEX; theme of H.M. King George V Our First Patron

Sesquicentenary Certificate and Medallion

A 150th Anniversary Certificate has been approved by Council and it will be presented to members who exhibit at the King George V exhibition in February 2019 or present a display to the Society under existing arrangements between 1 January 2019 and 8 May 2020. A draft of the certificate may be viewed by clicking here. A 150th Anniversary medallion will be presented together with the certificate, as shown here:

RPSL Members' Collections 2019

For our 150th anniversary, the Society has published a permanent and representative record of how and what RPSL members collect in 2019. Each page of the book is a scan of the complete sheet(s) submitted by Fellows and Members.

The book was published during Spring STAMPEX in February 2019. All those who are contributors received a copy of the book. The price to other members is £70 per copy plus postage. The full retail price is £78 per copy plus postage.

Copies may be obtained from the Administration Office or through the online shop; click here for more details.

As part of the 150th Anniversary, for its major official international celebration, the Society was delighted to join with its members and friends from around the world at the 'Stockholmia 2019' international philatelic exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden from 29th May to 2nd June 2019.

Sheets of self-adhesive Cinderella labels, to commemorate Stockholmia 2019 and the Society's 150th Anniversary, are available to purchase from the Society. Click here for details.

Regional Displays at our new premises
15 Abchurch Lane

The programme for 2019-2020 will include displays by four UK regions, following the order in which each region last displayed. The displays will be on dates to be agreed between October 2019 and April 2020.

Meeting and Exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, Washington
17-20 October 2019

Gibraltar - 21 October 2019

Arrangements are in hand for a commemorative event in Gibraltar to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Royal Philatelic Society London. It will take place on Monday 21 October 2019 at the iconic Gibraltar Garrison Library. The programme will include:

Displays to be given by members of the Royal, both from Gibraltar and by visitors for the occasion, with a short presentation by each exhibitor on the key items shown. There will be two sessions of displays, one in the morning and another in the afternoon to allow the maximum number of displays;

A reception at 12 noon, which will be attended by the Governor of Gibraltar, who is the representative of HM the Queen in Gibraltar, and the Mayor of Gibraltar;

Fair and Exhibition in Sindelfingen
24 to 26 October 2019

The annual fair and exhibition to be held at Sindelfingen in Germany from 24 to 26 October 2019 will emphasise GB postal history with participation by the Royal and another GB postal history society. Planning is at an early stage and further information will be available in due course.

An Asian Event
29 February 2020

Anna Lee FRPSL has kindly agreed to organise an event in Hong Kong on a date in February 2020, probably the 29th February, consisting of 50 one-frame displays entitled "Gems of Asian Philately" to commemorate our 150th anniversary. Further details will follow in due course.

Regional and Overseas Representatives Meeting
7 May 2020

The meeting will be similar to that held during London Europhilex 2015. This will be an opportunity for our representatives to meet, socialise and display items from their collections in the Society’s new premises. Jon Aitchison FRPSL has kindly volunteered to organise the displays and details will be available soon.

President’s Dinner at the Guildhall, London
8 May 2020

A provisional booking has been made for a banquet and reception in the Great Hall and the Old Library on Friday 8 May 2020, the penultimate day of the London International Exhibition.